Motor City Hypnotist
Motor City Hypnotist
The Healing Bond: How Pets Transform Mental Health (part 2)
The invisible threads that connect us to our animal companions run deeper than we often realize. This compelling exploration of the pet-human bond reveals how our furry, feathered, and finned friends transform our mental wellbeing through neurochemical pathways that science is only beginning to understand.
When you stroke your cat's fur or feel your dog's head resting on your lap, something remarkable happens in your brain. Oxytocin—the bonding hormone—floods your system while stress hormones simultaneously decrease. What's fascinating is that the same chemical reaction occurs in your pet's brain too, creating a mutual healing exchange. This symbiotic relationship explains why 80% of people instinctively turn to their pets during moments of loneliness.
Beyond the comfort they provide at home, pets create natural bridges to human connection. The simple act of walking a dog or discussing pet care with others fosters community engagement that might otherwise remain elusive, especially for those struggling with isolation or social anxiety. Veterans paired with service animals experience dramatic improvements in sleep quality, family relationships, and even employment prospects. Meanwhile, studies of Alzheimer's patients show remarkable benefits from simply eating meals in rooms with fish tanks—consuming more food and exhibiting fewer behavioral issues.
The journey of pet ownership isn't without its heartaches. The inevitable loss of a beloved animal companion teaches us valuable lessons about grief and resilience. As one therapist beautifully explains, this experience parallels kintsugi—the Japanese art of mending broken items with gold. Through loss, we emerge changed but somehow more complete, having learned how to love unconditionally and navigate profound attachment. While taking on the responsibility of pet ownership requires careful consideration of financial and emotional commitments, the therapeutic benefits make it a worthwhile endeavor for anyone seeking improved mental health and emotional connection in an increasingly disconnected world.
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Change your thinking, change your life!
Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.
David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT
The Motor City Hypnotist
David Wright: 0:01
In this episode of the Motor City Hypnotist Podcast, we are talking about pets and mental health. This is part two. If you've not listened to part one, you can jump back and listen to that one first come back to us here, or listen to this one and go back later. Either way, you get all the information. It's all fine. Yes, and as usual, we're giving away free stuff. Hang in there, folks, we'll be right back this sounds like something for the authorities in Detroit.
Announcer: 0:28
Well, joke's on you. I'm living to 102 and then die at the city of Detroit.
Matt Fox: 0:32
Guys like this can't take over here out of Detroit.
Announcer: 0:36
Spawned in the hellfires of Motown. Take him to Detroit. No, no, not Detroit, no, no. Was that? No? Stationed in Drambuie, worse than Detroit? We did not have, as a unit, the confidence that we felt like we needed to beat Detroit. Let's go to Detroit now. You're talking brother. I don't think so. He plays for Detroit now. Do they have many farms in Detroit?
Matt Fox: 1:04
Detroit to Michigan. I go to school. I know where Detroit is.
Announcer: 1:08
Get ready for the Motor City hypnotist, david R Wright. Originating from the suburbs of Detroit, michigan, he has hypnotized thousands of people from all over the United States. David R Wright has been featured on news outlets all across the country and is the clinical director of an outpatient mental health and hypnosis clinic located just south of Detroit, where he helps people daily using the power of hypnosis. Welcome the Motor City Hypnotist, david R Wright.
David Wright: 1:56
What is going on, my friends? This is David Wright, the Motor City Hypnotist. I thought you were live over there. I just had a little coughing fit, so it's hanging on, so we'll get through it. Welcome to another episode of the Motor City Hypnotist Podcast.
Matt Fox: 2:09
You can take a moment if you need it.
David Wright: 2:11
Yeah, we'll take a minute. It'll clear up, it's fine. Hey, so we're here in the Palatial Podcast. Your voice, southfield Studios, hanging out doing a podcast. Yeah, that is Matt Fox, the other voice.
Matt Fox: 2:21
You hear that's me, that is all me.
David Wright: 2:22
He's hanging out not drinking tonight, but that's all okay, we're here doing a podcast.
Matt Fox: 2:28
Yeah, you know, I got to tell you. Yeah, the socials MotorCityHypnotistcom. Yeah, that's where you can find you.
David Wright: 2:35
That is.
Matt Fox: 2:38
MotorCityHypnotistcom and you're recording here at Podcast your Voice studios the palatial.
David Wright: 2:42
I always have to add palatial because it is palatial compared to other studios we've been in.
Matt Fox: 2:46
And you're talking about a very important topic today.
David Wright: 2:49
We are.
Matt Fox: 2:50
And it's, and everyone that has a pet knows that this is important. So I'm excited for part two of what we're going to be talking about.
David Wright: 2:58
So before we get into that, let me tell you where I can find me. Matt already mentioned the website is MotorCityHypnotistcom. All kinds of stuff on there, including MP3 recordings. Say you want to stop smoking, say you want to lose weight, say you want some relief of anxiety, you can actually go to my website and get those MP3s and you can listen to them and hopefully they will help you. You are a good person.
David Wright: 3:20
In addition, you can also make a personal appointment with me through the website. So if you want a show, it's there, if you want an appointment, it's there, and then all kinds of other stuff to help you is on that website. My Facebook and YouTube are both Motor City Hypnotist. Snapchat, instagram and TikTok are all Motor City Hypno. That's H-Y-P-N-O.
Matt Fox: 3:43
There you go, Matt Hypno.
David Wright: 3:44
And, as we've done, every episode going back to number one, we're on 314 right now.
Announcer: 3:49
Okay, Excuse me, right now.
David Wright: 3:51
All right and text the word hypnosis to 313-800-8510. It works. Within a few minutes you'll get a text message with a PDF attached. It's a guide to hypnosis, not a PDF attached. It's a guide to hypnosis, not a full guide. It's like a two-page overview, kind of tell you what hypnosis is, kind of how it works, dispel some myths and misconceptions. But also in that text you will get a Google link to my business page, motor City Hypnotist. There, if you could leave a review would be greatly appreciated Because, again, it just helps us get more people to watch and listen and check out the Motor City Hypnotist. Again, it works Absolutely. And if you forget the number, I know some of you may listen to this when you're driving or maybe you're out and about. But if you go to my website, motorcityhypnotistcom, it's the same phone number 313-800-8510. And if you just text hypnosis to that number, you will get that within a few minutes.
Announcer: 4:42
Perfect, all righty, it is time all right, here we go, here we go, here we go.
David Wright: 4:54
That's how winning is done all righty, so we have another animal story, okay you want to guess what animal matt, would it be a be a dog. No, think more sea creatures, a sea anemone, anemone, is it no?
Matt Fox: 5:08
Oh sea cucumber.
David Wright: 5:09
No, it's a whale. Ooh, ooh, a beached A, what A beached A beached oh, okay, I combine beached with minka because that's the type of whale. Okay, a beached minka whale survived six hours on shore to make it back to the water, thanks to a helping hand from the locals. According to a report from Alaska Wow Bay, a 15-foot minke whale was beached on the rocks at low tide, believed to be an incidence of poisoning by an algal bloom that could have killed it in just 20 minutes. Okay, I know that's a mouthful.
Matt Fox: 5:57
That was a mouthful.
David Wright: 5:59
Seldovia Village tribe responded to an Alaska Seed Life Center advisory about the incident, the location of which the center asked to be kept secret. They dispatched their environmental coordinator. Okay, steven Payton's job description includes rescuing beached whales, but this was his first encounter in his 10-year career with a live whale. Most of them passed away when they get beached. I just went out as fast as I could, not really knowing what to expect, and it's a long ways out there down McDonald's Spit. That's the area, I believe, too-y. So luckily, one of the locals that was responding was able to pick me up on a four-wheeler and drive me. Okay, great, got a ride me up on a four-wheeler and drive me. Okay, great, got a ride. When he arrived, a group of about 15 locals had formed a bucket line pouring seawater onto the whale's soft underbelly which, along with being substantially scratched up by the rocks, could have become damaged in the sun's rays. The locals had also wrapped wet beach towels around it while they waited to come up with a plan on how to rescue it.
David Wright: 7:07
Minky whales are the world's second smallest baleen whales, meaning, like humpbacks and blue whales, they eat krill using special filtering organ in their throat. Even still at 15 feet long, it would have weighed at least three tons. That's a small whale. Yeah, it is a small whale Three tons, but three tons, you're not going. At least three tons, that's a small whale. Yeah, it is a small whale Three tons, but three tons, you're not going to move three tons.
Matt Fox: 7:29
You can't.
David Wright: 7:29
Well, no, I can't. The beast was thrashing around from time to time and no one felt comfortable trying to manhandle it, but luckily, as the tide came back in, it freed the whale, which was reported in the area for days afterwards, swimming and spouting. Typically, a minke whale can drown in between 10 and 20 minutes on shore. The way the animal was oriented on the beach, lying on its side with its blowhole facing the sea, was very dangerous. The selfless work from the locals allowed that 20 minutes to become six hours when the tides eventually arrival.
Matt Fox: 8:05
They were able to allow the whale to write itself.
David Wright: 8:08
We are grateful to the calm presence and respect shown by those nearby during this time, seldovia tribe wrote on Facebook. Moments like this remind us of the powerful connection between our community and the natural world around us. So yeah, villagers came out. And it takes a village Matt, it does, it takes a village. And they all came out. And it takes a village, matt, it does. It takes a village. And they all came out and pitched in to keep this whale hydrated.
Matt Fox: 8:30
Yeah, until the tide came in. I think that was the biggest part of that, absolutely Of the puzzle, if you will.
David Wright: 8:35
Well, and they did wrap it in those wet towels to keep the sun off Sure. So that again, that was also. But yeah, it's a great story, you know, they saved a three-ton whale.
Matt Fox: 8:44
Save the whales baby. Who can say that? Save the whales baby.
David Wright: 8:47
Definitely our winner of the week.
Announcer: 8:57
That's how winning is done.
Matt Fox: 8:58
Have you ever been to Alaska?
David Wright: 9:00
No, never been to Alaska.
Matt Fox: 9:02
I lived in Alaska. Yeah, my parents were skaters.
David Wright: 9:04
Kendra's been numerous times in her skating career. She was in Anchorage quite a bit.
Matt Fox: 9:08
It's a beautiful beautiful state, it really is Well.
David Wright: 9:11
I know there are Alaskan cruises that go all around there, but it's just that you're on the outskirts when you are in Anchorage or you're in Juneau and you're actually seeing in the wintertime the Adidara going on, or the summertime, you actually see the see, the whales in the water, and what have you?
Matt Fox: 9:28
It's just it's amazing the the culture that is in Alaska.
David Wright: 9:32
Oh, absolutely, absolutely.
Matt Fox: 9:34
You can spend a year out there and you still won't be able to see everything, I'm sure.
David Wright: 9:38
Yeah, cause it's a huge state too. Really is, yeah, really is, yeah, yeah, but it's massive. I just it's implanted in my memory.
Matt Fox: 9:48
well, yeah, living there, yeah, you have some, some, some, some, yeah, immediate experience and no one else has a lot of yeah, a lot of flipping snow, but yeah well yeah, yeah, if you like cold, maybe not the, maybe not the right place I was that kid on halloween walking around trick-or-treating with the puffy coat. On with the puffy coat, on with his costume. Over the puffy coat yes, absolutely yeah, I was a fat superman, you whatever it takes to make it work.
David Wright: 10:11
That's a good thing. So we're here, folks talking about pets and mental health. Now we addressed in the first episode of the the one just before this one kind of the effects it has on physical health and, and again, what having a pet can kind of. It can kind of dictate a schedule or structure for you, which is helpful, especially for people who are dealing with depression or other issues. Loneliness, yeah, yep. So here's the other thing that comes along. Go on, one of one of the other things about pet ownership that that that kind of might sway people away from it is knowing that the pet is not going to live as long as they do.
Matt Fox: 10:50
And you know it's a part of it's a part of life it is.
David Wright: 10:54
And and and. Despite its benefits, pet ownership does come with its emotional issues when it comes time. Okay, so there's a. There's a theory that was put out by the bowen family. It's a systems theory and it's a concept describes a family as a single emotional unit where the emotions of one member affect everyone else in the family. Many researchers recognize pets are part of this system, which explains the strong bonds between pets and their families. Part of this system which explains the strong bonds between pets and their families. So Noel Browning, a licensed clinical social worker, says that everyone in the family has a role, including the animals, and she said, in a way they're like toddlers, as their caregivers were constantly thinking about where they are, what they need, when to feed them, like any caregiver dependent relationship. This creates a bond, whether it's an animal or a human, and, again, as much joy as our furry friends bring us.
David Wright: 11:54
Every pet owner can tell you about the devastation of losing a pet. Everybody's gone, can all. Everybody's gone through that and I would say it's probably majority of the population, I would guess, at minimum. Yes, they're a part of our lives and they end up being our whole life sometimes, where we are their whole lives. Well, that's yes. The humans are their whole lives. Yes, correct? So one of the exercises that browning recommends for for clients who are grieving over a pet loss is it's similar to the japanese art of kintsugi. Okay, in kintsugi, you take a damaged item and you mend it back with gold. Crazy, I know. Okay, I know, I'm trying.
Matt Fox: 12:44
Oh.
David Wright: 12:46
Great Odin's Raven. So the idea is that even though it seems broken, it's even more beautiful afterwards than before. When we relate our grief, we talk about how we can never be like what we were before, but also how we've changed and grown in important ways. So I'll try to wax poetic for a moment. But every pet brings some kind of meaning to your life. Brings some kind of meaning to your life and even if it's a 10-year meaning, if it's a five-year meaning, it doesn't change the impact in the emotional support you receive during the time that you've had your pet. What was it?
Matt Fox: 13:26
Kintsugi, kintsugi, kintsugi, that's not Unagi. Nope, okay, that's.
David Wright: 13:31
Kintsugi K-I-N-T-S-U-G-I.
Matt Fox: 13:36
Okay, they have the Unagi. Okay, Now Kintsugi.
David Wright: 13:39
So again a lot of people. While they kind of might be hesitant about getting a pet because of this, it's fair to say the bond that you build is worth the loss you get or the loss you receive afterwards is worth the loss you, you, you get, yes, or the loss you receive afterwards.
Matt Fox: 13:57
So, and it actually, and you can. You can tell me I'm being an idiot, but losing a pet helps you understand how you grieve when you lose a loved one, yes, and you can understand how you would react when somebody, a human- yeah, right it'll help you to kind of walk through those emotions a little bit easier, if you will.
David Wright: 14:16
Yeah, and I hate to say this, but sometimes we need to be forced into things that we don't want to address. Sure, and a pet loss is one of them. Mm-hmm, because you're right, matt, it teaches us how to grieve and how to experience loss.
Matt Fox: 14:33
Because everyone grieves differently Mm-hmm, how to grieve and how to experience loss Because everyone grieves differently and you'll understand how you grieve and what you need to do to help you move forward with that loss, and just how to kind of what's the word I'm looking for?
Announcer: 14:47
How to cope with it.
Matt Fox: 14:49
And in your own brain how are you feeling through this scenario or through this experience that you're having right?
David Wright: 14:57
well, and the other thing it does, and and it did with our family it brought. It brought my wife and my son and I closer, sure, because we've all experienced this trauma together and and and I hate to say that's a benefit, but but it is Think of it this way You've given this pet the best life they've had. When you lose them it hurts, but you did something really good. You shared of yourself, you gave love. It's a decent, kind, human thing to do, sure.
Matt Fox: 15:36
So the level of love that the animal has for you and what the animal has done for you, that's the loss that you're grieving. Yes, Because they're no longer going to be there to do that with you and for you. Service dogs, for example. They are there 100% of the time, 24-7. They are looking out for their human.
David Wright: 15:56
Yes.
Matt Fox: 15:57
Right.
David Wright: 15:57
Yes.
Matt Fox: 15:58
And now that human no longer has that, so the human has to figure out what am I going to?
David Wright: 16:02
how am I going to? Where is that support going to come?
Matt Fox: 16:05
now Right, and that that's again. That's a separate process that you have to walk through and go through but know that there's always love and support outside of the animal Right.
David Wright: 16:17
Well, it's very difficult and I don't say this lightly, it's not really a joke but many times people are much closer than their animals and they are to people because the animals love unconditionally. Yeah, there's no arguments, there's no. I mean there's discipline and things like that. Sure, but overall your pet's going to love you. You feed it, you take it out, you play with it, you pet it. It sleeps with you. Well, sometimes, depending on what house you're in, but yeah, that's all a part of it. And the therapist who I mentioned, browning, there's a quote. She says people ask me all the the time how can I do the work I do with so much sadness around me, but I get to see the most incredible love every day? How many people can say that?
David Wright: 17:04
not I mean it's a good point. It is and and again. Despite the difficulties that pet owners have with grieving, it's such a positive effect, both mentally and physically, in improving your health and being a happier person. Yes, the loss is tough, but but the time you get is so much more valuable than the loss.
Matt Fox: 17:25
Yeah, and here's. Here's the other thing. Do you want to hang on to your pet as long as possible? Yep, but you have to know when to say hey, to cut the cord for lack of a better term.
David Wright: 17:35
Yes, what pets get sick?
Matt Fox: 17:37
yes, yes and you don't want, because they that you can see it in their eyes. They cannot verbalize how you know, right, my, you know I'm really struggling here.
David Wright: 17:46
You need to be very aware of their mannerisms and well, and, and I will tell you because I've had, I've had first hand experience with this we just had to put our dog down a couple years ago. And here's the thing the vet told us. And we loved our vet, she was great. And she said listen, animals can't convey pain. You might see a change in mannerisms. It might be very slight, they are so good, but to them that pain level's at a 10. And you won't know it. But so I'll make a very long story short. When, when, when pippin got sick, our dog, he, he had kidney issues and that happened. Like he lived till he was 10. But but like five years in, they said, because we, we do a checkup every year medical checkup they said yeah, something's up with the kidneys, his levels are off here.
David Wright: 18:39
So we had to go on special dog food. But the last, probably six months of his life what happened was the kidneys weren't operating properly, so they weren't flushing the toxins. So you could see just a change in his mannerism. It wasn't like he just fell over and couldn't get up. He went out, he used the bathroom, he ate, he drank, but they said he's not feeling well. So we started doing subcutaneous fluids like three times a week at home. They set us up with the syringe and the hose and the IV bags and all of that. So we were encouraged because once we started that things seemed to be getting better and we took him in for another checkup. They said numbers are way down again.
David Wright: 19:24
He said this is not going to work. So that's when we had to make the decision. But I will say, between my wife and Ethan, my son, my son, I have to give it to him because he kind of stood up because I was an emotional wreck, my wife was an emotional wreck. He was an emotional wreck too, but he took charge of this subcutaneous fluid administration.
David Wright: 19:48
He did it every day for months. But then, at the time and here's the thing, and I'm going to go back to the statement, matt sometimes you have to know when to let go and I know it's hard for people, but my vet said something and it's going to stay with me and I share it with clients all the time. A day late, no, I'm sorry. A week early is better than a day late, agreed. When you're putting your animals down, 100 and again and again.
David Wright: 20:15
I'll give you an example when the vet came to our home to put Pippin down again great service, wow, lap of love. Looked up their website. They do fantastic work. They're super compassionate. They come to your home so your pet doesn't have the stress of having to go out somewhere Right To die in a strange place, sure, so they can be in their own home with their own toys and their own people and their own furniture. So they came to your house and and and put them down. There was a point I was going on that, but I don't remember where it was going I know when to oh know when to say yes.
David Wright: 20:51
And again she made it very clear she goes. I'm telling you, a week early is better than a day late. Yeah, and, and you're going to have regrets on that. You're going to think, because when she came he actually jumped off the couch and ran to the door to greet her, was tail wagging, yeah. And then we thought, are we doing the right thing here? And and the doctor who came to visit us, she says you're doing the right thing. We have a, a stuff. It's not going to get better.
Matt Fox: 21:15
Yeah, so I'll tell you about. You know the personal experiences that I've had. You know all right. To put it in simple terms, I can never watch the movie Marley and me in my lifetime.
David Wright: 21:27
I watched it one time and I I know and I I brought that up on one of our movie countdowns, If you remember, I do, I know, I know brought that up on one of our movie countdowns.
Matt Fox: 21:35
If you remember, I, I do, I know, I know I still shit, my head tilts to the side a little bit, but you know that was the.
David Wright: 21:39
That was the podcast episode. By the way, people movies that make men cry yes, look that, look that up. It's way back. Maybe like number, single digit or like under a hundred.
Matt Fox: 21:49
Look back, look back but yeah, but you know, having been through that experience now a few times, it's, it doesn't get easier, but you are able to cope and understand how you move forward. Better is that is that, is that yeah okay, yeah, that that's fair.
David Wright: 22:08
I I mean, and even us, our family, we, we are getting another dog in a couple weeks. Yeah, he's cute and it, but but it's taken me two years to even try to consider that. Sure, and and and again, part of my brain and and this is this is why I want to reach out, to be a part of my brain is like why, why are we doing this again? In 10 years we're going to go through the same thing because you, you, you need that purpose in your life again well and and again, an animal needs to be loved.
David Wright: 22:37
Yes, I say that selfishly, you get more out of it than well. No, I wouldn't say you get more out of it.
Matt Fox: 22:43
It's 50-50. It isn't even split.
David Wright: 22:47
So we're talking about people who are lonely and we mentioned that part of the first episode last episode.
Matt Fox: 22:54
With mental health. Yeah, help with mental health.
David Wright: 22:55
Yeah, with mental health, and people always point to COVID-19 as being like, oh, this is when this loneliness epidemic began, but that actually has been before that. So there's a study through Habri and Mars Pet Care. They did a survey and they said what do you do when you feel lonely? 80% of the respondents said they turn to their pets for comfort. Okay, 80%. Additionally, over half of them 54% said their pets help them connect with others in the community, which fosters a sense of belonging. Yeah, go to the dog park. But here's the thing You're taking care of a dog and people think, oh, you're still isolated, you have your pet at home. But if you take this pet for walks, if you let them outside, if you take them to vet appointments, if you take them to get groomed, that these are all things that get you out there and interacting with people. And again, I know, in a way it's forced, but it's still good for you. Sure, that's the positive thing. Here's another thing that study has done Pets encourage mindfulness.
David Wright: 24:07
Now, people who those of you who have not listened for a while we did a whole episode on mindfulness way back when, but mindfulness is just stopping and just focusing on right now, this moment and a lot of times I will do like. I know those on audio can't see me, but I'm touching my, my fingers together yeah, thumb to finger, thumb to finger, thumb to finger, all the way through, back and forth on on both hands. Now, the reason I use both hands is engages both hemispheres of the brain. Yeah, because you're opposites.
Matt Fox: 24:36
Your brain controls it.
David Wright: 24:37
This is what people that have suffered a stroke yeah, it's a lot of times that- they'll touch on both hands, touch finger to each thumb, to each finger and just kind of just and just focus on that. Focus on that touching and that that that what that does is your brain can't think of multiple things at a time. Even though we think they can, they can't. You can only think of one thing at a time and as you do this, your brain kind of disengages from that wandering and latching on.
David Wright: 25:09
But again, this kind of helps because it encourages mindfulness. Pets do the same thing. When your pet is there and looking at you and you're petting him, there's nothing else going on in your brain, right?
Announcer: 25:21
That's it, it's a, it's a that that is isolated.
David Wright: 25:24
That is the only thing you're feeling at that moment.
Matt Fox: 25:26
It could be a sensory thing. It could be a sensory thing.
David Wright: 25:29
It could just be a, be a satisfaction thing. The other thing too, and again, pets encourage healthy habits, physical healthy habits. Now I'll get into this in a minute. A lot of the researchers say the health benefits go far beyond taking daily walks. They said interactions with pets trigger release of oxytocin we mentioned that Endorphins, prolactin, which is a nurturing hormone, while stress hormones actually go down. Yes, and here's the good news the positive changes, those chemical changes in your brain are happening in your pet's mind too. It's the exact same feeling they're getting. Yep, that feeling of want, that feeling of being connected, that feeling of love. So again can improve heart health. Better chance of recovering from a heart attack. Mm-hmm, we did a. The winner of the better chance of recovering from a heart attack. We, we, we, we did a, a, a, a, the. The winner of the week last week was a dog who sensed his owner's stroke coming on.
Matt Fox: 26:30
Yeah, and then before a heart attack.
David Wright: 26:32
Yeah, yeah, Even even this, something as simple as children caring for their fish, If the if you give a child a fish, it fish if you give a child a fish, it teaches them way early on to link their own self-care with that of an animal. Good morning goldie. Yeah, good morning goldie. No, no, don't shut me up today.
Matt Fox: 26:57
Today's going to be different, goldie so here and think about this.
David Wright: 27:03
There was another study. It observed a similar result in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Matt Fox: 27:21
When Alzheimer's patients ate their meals in a room with a fish tank.
David Wright: 27:22
They ate more were less likely to require supplemental nutrition and then exhibited fewer behavioral issues.
Matt Fox: 27:28
Just by having a fish tank in the common area. That's wild. Yeah, have you ever been to texas? The uh to houston at the houston aquarium.
David Wright: 27:31
Never been to houston, I've been to san antonio, all right.
Matt Fox: 27:33
So in houston, there they have the houston aquarium in the downtown area and it's a really fun aquarium a lot of species to look at, what have you. But there's a restaurant there and it's a huge fish tank in the middle of the restaurant and you are sitting around this aquarium and eating a meal or a lunch. I was an asshole and ordered the fish. Well, I mean, I couldn't help it, man. Oh Benji, you taste so good.
David Wright: 28:02
I know this is a sidebar, matt, and I have to ask. I know I've asked you, but curb your enthusiasm. Oh, ok, I can tell you it's not spoiling anything, because Larry goes into this Chinese restaurant and there's a fish like right, right on the side of the tank, just like in place, just flapping.
Announcer: 28:19
OK.
David Wright: 28:20
And Larry says fish is stuck.
Announcer: 28:23
And the owner's like stuck.
David Wright: 28:26
He's stuck, not stuck, stuck, not stuck. Just. There's this big argument because larry feels like the fish is stuck and he needs help what was it that?
Matt Fox: 28:35
was it the monty python, not holy grail, but it was life of brian, not life of brian it was meaning of life, meaning of life. Yes, when the big guy walks into the restaurant the guy's like, oh shit, he's here and they swim away. Give me a bucket.
David Wright: 28:49
Give me a bucket. I need a bucket.
Announcer: 28:51
So gross.
David Wright: 28:52
So yes, definitely. Again, it showed change in Alzheimer's patients. Here's the other thing Psychiatric service dogs have shown to be beneficial for veterans with PTSD. Again, there are a lot of studies out there specially trained dogs that provide environmental awareness, emotional calming and intervention during panic attacks or anxiety attacks. And here's the other thing paired with service dogs have better sleep, stronger family connections, smoother reintegration into communities and even higher employment rates. Perfect, it's crazy, because this therapeutic benefit of pets is. I think it's beyond even what we're even talking about. I don't think it can be defined. I really don't?
David Wright: 29:42
I really think it's that powerful.
Matt Fox: 29:44
There is really nothing better than a dog down next to you putting his head on your lap and you're stroking his head or petting his ears, and then you can see them getting satisfaction out of it, or a cat jumping on your lap and just starts to purr.
David Wright: 29:57
There's nothing better than that soft purr of a cat, that soft purr. They're not angry, they just love being where they're at.
Matt Fox: 30:05
They're comfortable, they know that they're being cared for and they're caring for you at the same time.
David Wright: 30:09
Yes, there's nothing better. Yeah, and here's an interesting thing In response to pets being so helpful as far as mental health goes an organization was established just two years ago. It's called the Association of Animal Assisted Intervention Professionals. I'll say that one more time, please Association of Animal Assisted Intervention Professionals. Okay, a-a-a-i-p. Okay. Again, just established two years ago, but this organization provides training and certification for professionals who want to incorporate animals into their practice, whether it be doctors, counselors, psychologists. So this organization is trying to get more animals into a therapy or mental health setting to help people with mental challenges.
Matt Fox: 31:02
I would love to see animals in corporate office settings, that too, whether it be automotive or in banking, you know, have you ever walked into a bank and saw service dogs in? There with an employee. No, right, no.
David Wright: 31:17
Well, and I will say I'll have to say my son's 23,. So he graduated many years ago. But his district, I have to hand it to them. They were on the cutting edge of everything as far as building and whatever sports. But they had a service dog, or maybe it was middle school, it doesn't matter. There was a dog that came to school every day. He came into every classroom, spent the whole day, every day, at school.
Matt Fox: 31:47
There is an animal that walks around the high school down the street from us? Yes, but they're there for a different capacity, unfortunately.
David Wright: 31:54
Oh, they're there for drug sniffing dogs, for security and drug sniffing, yes, yes.
Matt Fox: 31:57
However, this dog knows its job and it's also there as a a therapeutic type okay because there are.
David Wright: 32:07
So he's doing dual.
Matt Fox: 32:08
He has a dual role yeah, so, because there are kids in the school that you know might have, you know, certain mental challenges, and that dog loves being visited by those kids.
David Wright: 32:17
Yeah, really absolutely, and the kids love it. Yeah, yeah, I. I distinctly remember I. Anytime I volunteered at my son's school, I would see the dog and kids were just.
Matt Fox: 32:26
It was just fantastic Dog was loving it yeah.
David Wright: 32:29
So here's the thing, folks, kind of the bottom line is, a pet can be very good for your mental health. Yes, and even even though you might be hesitant or resistant or think, oh, it's a lot of work, it's a lot of responsibility, here's the thing it's going to be good for you. This is good responsibility. This is something that can help you if you're depressed, if you're anxious, if you have PTSD, if you're a veteran who suffers and doesn't sleep well All of these things. Studies have shown pets can help these areas. So if you've been resistant to it in the past, consider it. Whether it be a dog, whether it you know whether it be a dog, whether it be a cat, whether it be a turtle, it can be anything. Anything that that you need to care for and I hate even saying it that way anything you want to care for, it's going to be helpful for you and it will be helpful for your mental health.
Matt Fox: 33:21
And I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention this when taking on a responsibility of an animal, there is a monetary cost to taking care of an animal. There is. You have to be prepared, yes, for that, and you have to understand if you find that you're not able to afford it. You can't just give it back, right? That's not how this works, right? Okay, I mean technically back, that's not how this works Technically.
David Wright: 33:43
you could give it up to a shelter. That's not ideal. No, you're right. I want to say this sensitively. There are a lot of people out there who don't even know where their next meal is coming from and they have a pet. They will feed the animal first before they feed themselves. It's just not fair to the pet. No, because, yeah you, you need to have means to take care of your pet yes, you do.
Matt Fox: 34:11
That's the bottom.
David Wright: 34:12
But the bottom in the bottom line is you need to take care of yourself and if you feel that an animal will help you, do that yeah understand that you have that responsibility of caring for that animal for the rest of you, the rest of their life well, and and there's a reason, and we're gonna, we're gonna hop into that in just a second, but there's a reason I put I, I do a detroit dog rescue every podcast. So so we record two podcasts a week and every single pod. Well, unless we forget every single podcast, we do a detroit dog rescue pet that needs to be adopted. Yes, these are all pets that somebody owned at one point and they they either they were abandoned or that they were found, or they were strays, or they gave them up. And here's the thing I, if you can't afford a pet, yes, give them. Take them to a shelter, right, a no-kill shelter, a no-kill shelter, absolutely no kill. Make sure that's in place before you do it.
David Wright: 35:07
Yes, but if you find that you can't take care of them, you said there is, there are ways to get them rehomed so that they they're there, they get to continue a good life. Sure, please. And at the same time, I would encourage people who are dealing with depression, anxiety, ptsd. A pet can be so good, it can be so helpful. Amen, I mean, just do it, yeah. So, and speaking of before we go, you know who needs a home mat.
David Wright: 35:34
I saw it, and you have to start putting these things upside down because I know, I know I'm trying to block it out for me I saw his name and I'm absolutely enjoying it, because I'm not going to say the name- yet Okay, this dog was born in 2021.
Matt Fox: 35:47
Okay.
David Wright: 35:48
About four years old, got it. Schnauzer male Okay, he's only 10 pounds. Okay, small dog. Dog friendly yes. Kid friendly Over five Okay. Activity level is low. Cat friendly Cat friendly Unknown. Cat-friendly unknown. It's always unknown Because we don't know, because they've never been around. Cats Spock. Damn it Spock. I'm a doctor, not a scientist.
Matt Fox: 36:12
Live long and prosper. Look at that. Come on, I pulled my inner Phil Rosenthal out, come on, come on.
David Wright: 36:20
There you go, Matt. Take a look at Spock. Spock is great.
Matt Fox: 36:23
Look at him. Yeah, he wants a home. He does. That's a Rubik's Cube behind him.
David Wright: 36:29
He needs to sit on your lap.
Matt Fox: 36:31
That is a finished Rubik's Cube behind Spock. He is a smart dog.
David Wright: 36:35
Oh, look at that. That is great, Matt. Let me show people. If you're watching on Facebook Live, if you're listening to audio, come to my Facebook page, go to the end of the whole episode. But at the end of the episode, see a picture of Spock and the solved Rubik's Cube sitting right on the floor next to him. It's probably a dog toy, but it looks like a.
Matt Fox: 36:53
Rubik's Cube. It is but his name is Spock and he's intelligent. So there you go, spock, and he has emotions.
David Wright: 36:59
This Spock does have a name Live long and prosper. Spock. Spock needs a home. Yes, please.
Matt Fox: 37:05
DetroitDogRescuecom. Detroitdogrescuecom.
David Wright: 37:09
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
Matt Fox: 37:11
See or the one or the one See there we go, we have to invite the Detroit Dog Rescue. We do, yes, and.
David Wright: 37:19
I have it on my radar to get in touch with them. Okay, please, All righty folks. That is our Pet and Mental Health Episode 2 wrapped up. All righty folks, Join us next Monday.
Matt Fox: 37:32
We don't have a subject yet, but we will, and if you do record, I will not be here. Okay, we're just going to throw that out there.
David Wright: 37:39
Well, just in case, because I have no idea what comes up on my schedule day to day either. But according to schedule we should be here Monday, if not. We'll be here soon after that. Fair enough, alrighty folks, change your thinking, change your life. Laugh hard, run fast. Be kind, we'll see you next time I'm out